Whether you’re a pickleball pro or you’ve just been invited to your first match, you’ll want to dress in your best pickleball apparel for the occasion. Combining comfort and style is key for this popular sport, as quick movements may be the difference between a golden pickle and getting pickled.
And while fashionable attire may not enhance your score, you’ll win style points from your teammate and opponents alike when you show up in your pickleball best. Follow our guide to pickleball outfits for women and men, along with our recommendations for turning heads the moment you step onto the court.
How To Dress for Pickleball Like a Pro
Around 50 million Americans play pickleball in the United States, making it one of the fastest-growing sports in the country! And in such a fast-moving game, you’ll want pickleball attire that keeps up with the trends as well as the ball.
When you’re deciding what to wear for pickleball, consider these important factors:
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Breathable fabrics. When you choose wicking fabrics that keep moisture away from your skin, you’re choosing an outfit that feels cool even in the warmest afternoon sun.
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Stretchy material. Feel comfortable and stay flexible with every serve, rally, and drop shot in your next pickleball match. Material that’s soft and stretchy moves with you rather than constraining those explosive movements!
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Lightweight layers. Don’t let a foggy chill dampen your fun. Pack lightweight layers to pull on between games, keeping you warm even out of the Kitchen.
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UPF protection. The best day of pickleball is still a day in the sun. Add sun protection to your pickleball apparel, including sunscreen, visors, and UPF protective clothing.
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Comfortable shoes. While pickleball shoes are becoming more popular, comfortable and supportive tennis shoes are perfectly acceptable for pickleball matches on a hard court. If you’re playing indoors, look for badminton shoes that won’t scuff or slow you down.
Bottom line: You’re looking for performance materials, comfortable cuts, and wicking fabrics that match your movements and complement the weather. And when it comes to pickleball supplies, don’t forget Recess + Southern Tide pickleball equipment!
Best Pickleball Outfits for Women
It’s easy to find pickleball outfits and women’s active clothing that look just as good as they feel. Check out our favorite pickleball outfits for women that are sure to be bangers on the court.
1. Performance Dress
Channel a classic tennis look when you wear an active dress to your next pickleball game. Elegant and effortlessly stylish, these performance dresses are made with breathable, wicking fabrics that keep you feeling cool with every lob and drop shot. Pair your dress with a women’s quarter-zip pullover for a polished and layered look.
2. Performance Tank + Skort
The best pickleball outfits are versatile and comfortable at the same time. Change up your look when you combine lightweight tank tops with performance skorts. This modern yet timeless look allows for maximum comfort and flexibility on the court, all while adding a feminine flair to your game.
3. Active Top + Shorts
No list of pickleball essentials is complete without performance tops matched with active shorts. With chic coverage, stylish designs, and wicking fabrics that pull sweat away from your skin, this pickleball pairing is sure to become a staple in your activewear wardrobe.
Best Pickleball Outfits for Men
Choose pickleball outfits for men that feel soft and lightweight, but perform as well as your favorite gym attire. Check out your favorites in the Coastal Breeze Collection, or find inspiration in the best pickleball outfits for both beginners and pros.
4. Performance Polo
What do golfers and pickleball players have in common? They can both wear men’s performance polos on the course and the court. These traditionally designed polos are made with breathable fabric that keeps you cool even on the warmest afternoons. Add a pair of sunglasses for added sun protection (and a touch of sophistication).
5. Performance Shorts + Hoodie
Keep your options open when you pair active shorts with your favorite performance hoodies. Shorts provide extra cooling and flexibility to your legs, while comfortable, breathable hoodies keep your arms and neck protected against the sunlight.
6. Quarter Zip + T-Shirt
For casual pickleball matches or practice sessions, look no further than high-quality, low-maintenance T-shirts like our incredible brrr°®-illiant Performance T-Shirt. Designed with comfort and coastal style in mind, these activewear shirts layer well beneath quarter-zip pullovers for morning or evening changes in the weather.
Playful Pickleball Terms to Know
Once you’ve got the pickleball attire under control, it’s time to get the match started! While some pickleball terms are similar to tennis, others are unique to the sport of pickleball. Ensure you know important (and funny!) pickleball slang before you step onto the court for the first time.
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Ace: A serve that isn’t returned (instant point)
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Banger: A pickleball player who hits hard drives and shots
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Bert (and Erne): Partner shots in which one player crosses the kitchen (Erne), or a player crosses to their partner’s side of the court (Bert)
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Cookie: An easy shot to hit
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Dillball: A live ball
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Dink: Shot that arcs over the net into the other team’s Non-Volley Zone
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Falafel: Short shot hit with little force
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Flapjack: A shot that bounces once before it’s hit
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Kitchen: Another term for the Non-Volley Zone
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Nasty Nelson: Hitting a receiver’s partner with the ball (illegal)
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Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): Area in the court where players can enter, but not hit a shot (also known as the Kitchen)
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Pickle: Warning call before a serve
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Poach: Hitting a shot in your partner’s side of the court
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Volley Llama: A shot hit in the Non-Volley Zone (illegal)
Serving Up Style, No Matter the Sport
Athletes in every activity know the importance of cooling comfort on the court. When you choose pickleball attire from Southern Tide, you’re adding active clothing for men and women that feels great, looks stylish, and stays durable wear after wear.
Ready to step off the pickleball court? Smash your next sport with our guide on what to wear to a football game. We’ve also collected a selection of what to wear on a boat in case your next stop is at sea!
